Acetabular metastases: planning for reconstruction and review of results

The treatment of acetabular bone metastases presents numerous clinical challenges including the necessity for careful patient selection for surgery, determination of the extent of bone destruction, and providing the patient with stable surgical reconstruction of the pelvis. There are relatively few patient series reported in the literature to inform treatment planning, surgical reconstruction techniques, and patient outcomes. We describe a rationale for assessment of patients with acetabular metastases and options for reconstruction. The three general principles for surgical treatment of metastatic bone disease (tumor removal, filling of the resultant bone defect, and bypass of the defect) are defined for acetabular metastases. The results of surgical treatment are described with reference to recent articles in the literature. The reconstruction of acetabular metastatic disease is a major surgical procedure with a significant risk of complications. The surgeon must be certain that the patient's longevity and potential improvement in quality of life justify the risk of the operation.